Considering 64bit, your opinions please.

Hey all

I currently have 32bit Vista Ultimate. I do enjoy it for the most part. If there is any real issue I have, it's the RAM limitation of a 32bit system, other than that, I'd say I am a happy camper.

For all of you that operate on the 64bit system, how do you deal with these issues:

1. Driver support...as long as it's been out, there is still very little support.

2. Wireless support...I am currently on a wireless system, I have NO access to a land line so I am 100% dependent on wireless. I keep reading that Vista 64 has virtually zero wireless support.

3. Driver/program not signed, won't install. Period. Isn't that a bit extreme? Telling me what I can or cannot install on MY PC??

4. I am a Creative fan. Everyone has their preferences, it's why they call it individuality, so please no knocking me for my preference. I have tried to figure I could get by with the onboard sound but I keep reading and reading that ulitmately a sound card IS better than oboard sound...and I am an audiophile to an extent. Yet I keep reading that Creative and Vista 64 are incompatible....

What are my options? What are your opinions?

You have answered your own post!
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"legend0fthefall" wrote:

If you are a happy camper with x86 why go x64. The only real benefit of x64 is its ability to address more than 4gb of ram (Vista x86 OS requirements actually limit to 3 and a bit gb). 64-bit CPUs support the so-called SSEx-instructions, a command set that are supposed to be more efficient, but as yet theres not much that uses these instructions... Also Programs that say x64 compatible might be just that, not optimised for x64 if you see what I mean.

For users like myself I have a x64 bit capable computer so I use Vista x64 - dont know why but it works well !!!

Your queries... driver support is now much better except for very old hardware.. you point to creative as a problem .. not now.. I am running a x-fi sound card (fantastic) with the Vista drivers from creative.

I am a sky broadband user, and use a netgear WG111t wireless adapter and have had some dropping of connection problems, but resolved by using a small prog called WLAN Optimizer which is excellent.

To sum up why not give it a go... install Acronis True Image Home version and Image your present set up, then install x64 and have a play for a few days... if you get problems - image your x64 and go back to x86. ... you then have both available .... its all good fun I think!!!

"legend0fthefall" <legend0fthefall.37wdw9@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:legend0fthefall.37wdw9@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net...
If the 32bit OS is working well, stay with it. What are you doing that you
feel there is a memory limitation?

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
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http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

"legend0fthefall" <legend0fthefall.37wdw9@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:legend0fthefall.37wdw9@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net... I installed Vista Ultimate 64 bit about a month or so ago, in a dual boot
with XP Pro, and have been very pleased with it. I rarely boot into XP any
more.

1: There were drivers available, for all my peripherals, including my HP all
in one printer. I did check, prior to purchasing Vista, to make sure I did
have drivers available for my hardware.
2: I use a Netgear wireless router, mainly to have wireless connection for
my work laptop around the house. I have no issues there.
3: Perhaps a bit extreme, but that is why I made sure there were signed
drivers available for all my current peripherals first.
4: I use a Creative X-Fi Extreme Music soundcard, works just fine for me
with it's current 64 bit drivers.

Just do a little research, make sure you have drivers and your main programs
you use will run in it.


Don

I run both Vista x64 and x86 on several computers. I prefer x64 for the
ability to use more RAM and it seems a little better at multi-tasking even
with less than 4 GB. The only computer I'm still running Vista x86 on is a
laptop that only has 2 GB. I will probably be switching it soon as well. The
rest is answered inline.

"legend0fthefall" <legend0fthefall.37wdw9@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:legend0fthefall.37wdw9@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net... This is much, much better than when Vista was first released. It's actually
rare now for new hardware to be released that doesn't have bot x86 and x64
drivers available. That said if you have some old hardware that doesn't
still doesn't have x64 drivers then it probably never will.
I have had no problems with wireless support. As long as you have drivers
for your NIC it works the same as x86.
This has been debated endlessly. Both sides have valid points. Personally
I'm on the signed drivers is a good thing side.
Check out for yourself if your card is supported.

http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/

legend0fthefall wrote:
When purchasing components for my latest hardware upgrade, I looked both
for 64-bit driver support and Linux compatibility.
Don't know.
ROFL! The friggin' OS decides whether your a pirate or not, and you are
worried about MS's heavy-handed approach to drivers?

I actually understand the driver bit. Look at the mess that is 32-bit
driver support. There are MS signed drivers for 32-bit, that I wouldn't
wipe my butt with.

I look at 64-bit more as a workstation OS, not as a home consumer
entertainment OS, so I understand MS's reasoning behind more strict
driver control.
Time to reaccess what you are a fan of.
Too Late! Though I was more gentle with you than I would be with a
Symantec fan.
I use onboard sound, outputted via a digital output directly to my 5.1
stereo receiver. I have no complaints about sound quality.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"